Building construction measuring tape

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a measuring tape and a method for its use which eliminates the necessity for manual measurement in the construction of buildings. The measuring tape comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a minimum stretchability, which is adapted to be permanently secured onto a suitable base, and which has imprinted thereon at least one numerical scale and a plurality of a spaced series of coded indicia for use as templates to position particular structural members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable measuring tape andtemplate which has improved ease of use over prior art tapes, and whicheliminates the necessity for manual measurement. The instant inventionis suitable for use in any situation in which conventional measuringdevices are employed. However, the present invention is particularlyadvantageous when utilized as a template or guide in the construction ofbuildings or other static structures to indicate the placing of thestructural members which comprise the completed frame structure withoutthe necessity of manually measuring the proper spacing for each member.It is additionally advantageous for use in masonry applications. Moreparticularly, the instant invention is highly suitable for use as aguide to directly obtain without error the proper positions of studding,beams, trusses, metal members, and the framing of structural openingssuch as door, window, stairwells, vents, etc., in the construction ofbuildings and other structures, without the necessity of manuallymeasuring the proper positioning and spacing of these members. It isalso highly suitable for obtaining the proper spacing between courses inmasonry applications. As a further aspect, the present inventionprovides a method for utilizing the measuring device of this inventionto completely manufacture structural frames, including the framing ofstructural openings, without the necessity of manual measurement orresort to a plurality of measuring or geometric devices. Through use ofthe instant measuring device, the present invention further provides afacile method for erecting joists within a structural frame, and fordetermining the proper spacing between each row of bricks in themanufacture of masonry walls, particularly around structural openingstherein, without the necessity for a plurality of manual measurementoperations.

The prior art has long recognized that flexible measuring tapes, such ascanvas measuring tapes or flexible metal measuring tapes, may beadvantageously employed in a plethora of common applications. However,the necessity of holding these devices stationary in order to obtain atrue measurement often renders their use awkward, particularly where noassistance is available and large distances must be measured. Moreover,the use of these devices entails a manual measurement operation, whichcan be very time consuming and a significant source of costly errors,particularly in construction applications, where a large number ofmeasurements must be made over long distances. Accordingly, thedeficiencies associated with these devices render their use for manyapplications, such as construction applications, undesirable.

Heretofore, the prior art has been unable to develop an effectivesubstitute for the canvas or flexible metal measuring tapes whicheliminates the need for manual measurement and is facilely utilized.U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,087 discloses one prior art attempt to develop sucha measuring device which comprises a length of gummed or plain tape ofpaper or gauze adapted to be secured to a suitable base member andhaving imprinted thereon a set of indicia which corresponds to thedesired spacing of a particular structural member, such as studdings, inthe construction of buildings. For positioning other structural members,such as beams, trusses, and the like, a separate tape is employed foreach member; each tape having imprinted thereon a set of indicia whichcorresponds to the desired spacing of the particular structural member.

The flexible template disclosed in this patent, however, suffers fromnumerous deficiencies which militate against its use in situations inwhich precise measurements are required, such as in constructionapplications. The high stretch of the paper or gauze backing of thistape produces a systematic measurement error which becomes increasinglymore serious the longer the length of tape employed, and becomes asignificant source of error with large construction jobs, sometimesresulting in errors of such magnitude that costly correction isnecessary. Moreover, the use of a plain or gummed tape prevents thistemplate from being readily utilized, particularly where long distancesmust be measured. The workman using this device must either wet the tapebefore its application to a base member or secure it by means of othersuitable extraneous fastenings.

The most significant deficiency from which this template suffers,though, is that in the construction of building frames a plurality ofsuch tapes must be employed for each particular structural member, andother geometric devices must be resorted to in order to center andposition the frame members of structural openings within a buildingframe. For example, in order to position the framing for windowopenings, the patentee resorts to a supplemental template having anumerical scale, i.e., an inch scale, displayed thereon in order tospace the window frame members a desired distance. Even with thisprovision, however, a standard measuring device must still be resortedto in order to properly center the structural opening within thebuilding frame proper. Use of the patentee's template therefore does noteliminate the necessity for manual measurement. In order to manufacturea complete building frame with the patentee's template, a plurality oftemplates having indicia corresponding to the desired spacing of thebuilding structural members, and additional measuring devices havingnumerical scales displayed thereon must be employed. Rather thansimplifying the measurement operation in building construction,therefore, use of the patentee's templates only complicates the matterand presents an additional systematic source of measurement error overthat found in conventional canvas or flexible metal measuring tapes.

It would be desirable therefore to provide a measuring device whicheliminates the need for manual measurement, which is facilely employed,which enables the manufacture of an entire structural frame withoutresorting to other measurement devices, and which does not suffer fromsystematic measurement errors attributable to a high stretch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide a new andimproved measuring device which eliminates the necessity for manualmeasurement, has a minimum stretch, is easily usable by a single workmanand does not require the use of additional measuring devices therewith.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide ameasuring tape for use in the construction of buildings and other staticstructures which enables the entire structural frame to be manufacturedwithout resorting to a plurality of such devices or to other measuringdevices.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a method forthe manufacture of static structrual frames having structural openingstherein using the measuring device of the instant invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method wherebya single workman may properly locate the spacings of joists in theconstruction of static structures without the necessity for manualmeasurement.

Yet another object of the instant invention is the provision of a methodwhereby masonry structures can be erected without the necessity for aplurality of manual measurements.

It is a specific object of the instant invention to provide apressure-sensitive adhesive measuring tape having at least one numericalscale displayed thereon and a plurality of sets of coded indiciacorresponding to the desired spacing of a plurality of structuralmembers.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide apressure-sensitive adhesive measuring tape which has a minimumstretchability, thereby eliminating systematic measurement errors.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a measuring tapewhich has displayed thereon templates for a plurality of structuralmembers which are coded so as to be easily identifiable.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide, as an articleof manufacture, a novel packaging of this measuring tape which reducesstretching of the tape during application to a substrate.

In accomplishing the foregoing and other objects, there has beenprovided in accordance with the present invention a measuring devicewhich alleviates all of the aforementioned deficiencies found in theprior art and also eliminates the necessity for manual measurement,which device comprises a length of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapehaving a low stretchability, adapted to be permanently secured onto asuitable base, and which has imprinted thereon at least one numericalscale and a plurality of sets of spaced series of coded indicia for useas templates to position particular structural members. Preferably, thenumerical scale is a recurring scale, repeating itself at convenientintervals. In the preferred embodiment, moreover, the measuring deviceof the instant invention is produced in rolls having the adhesive layeroutermost and the face with the indicia thereon innermost to allow thedevice to be directly rolled onto a substrate without the necessity offirst having to unroll a length of the tape for application, in order tominimize stretching of the tape backing during application. Furthermore,the templates for the plurality of structural members are each coded soas to easily identify the proper positioning for the particularstructural member which is to be erected.

The instant invention also provides a method for utilizing thismeasuring device, which enables a complete structural frame to bemanufactured using a single supply of the instant measuring devicewithout resorting to other measuring devices. More particularly, thepresent invention provides a method whereby the measuring device of theinstant invention functions as a template or guide to indicate thespacing and proper positions of both structural members and the framingof structural openings without resorting to other measuring devices.This method comprises the steps of: adhering the measuring device onto asuitable base member upon which the structural frame is to be erected;employing the numerical scale of the measuring device to center theopenings within the frame and to position the frame membes defining theopenings; and employing the coded spaced series of indicia as templatesto position the remaining structural members necessary to complete thestructure. In the preferred embodiment, the structural openings arecentered by reading off the proper distance on the numerical scale. Theopening frame members are then positioned by counting off 1/2 thedesired width of the opening in each direction from the center line ofthe opening on the numerical scale.

As a further embodiment of the instant invention, a method is alsoprovided for spacing joists in building construction without thenecessity of manual measurement. This method comprises applying themeasuring device of the instant invention along opposite stringers of abuilding frame, and positioning the joists thereon by aligning the endsthereof with the corresponding points on each length of the measuringdevice.

In still a further embodiment of the instant invention, a method isprovided for obtaining the correct spacing between rows of masonry inthe manufacture of masonry structures, without the need for manualmeasurement. This method comprises applying along opposite mason's polesa length of adhesive measuring tape of the instant invention having arecurring mason's scale therein; and beginning at the same marking oneach pole, stretching a mason's guide line between corresponding indiciaon each of the poles.

Through the use of the measuring device and method according to thepresent invention, the measurement required in the construction ofstatic structures, particularly buildings, is greatly simplified and thepossibility for measurement errors is greatly reduced. Moreover, thenumber of measurement devices necessary to complete the measurementoperation is also greatly reduced, as well as the manpower required toobtain true measurements. A single roll of the measuring device of theinstant invention provides everything necessary for the measurementoperations required in building construction, and can be nailed through,sawed through, welded across, and is designed to be readily disposable.

Yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to the skilled artisan upon examination of the followingdetailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction withthe figures of drawings herein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll of tape according to the instantinvention with an adhesive layer on the outermost face and the printedside on the inner face.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a length of the measuring tape according to theinstant invention illustrating several forms of coding the various setsof indicia so as to be readily distinguishable.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a section of the measuring tape of the instantinvention illustrating coding the indicia by means of embossments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of a frame structure illustratingthe use of the instant invention for positioning, spacing, and centeringfloor joists, and for leveling and laying out the proper spacing betweeneach course of bricks in the erection of a masonry wall having openingspassing through it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a measuring device and a method for itsuse which is particularly adapted for application in the construction ofbuildings and other static structures to indicate the desired spacing ofthe structural members which comprise the structural frame without thenecessity for manual measurement. However, while the measuring device ofthe instant invention is particularly advantageous in buildingconstruction, it is highly suitable for use in any measurementoperation. The measuring device according to the present invention canbe utilized in any situation in which conventional measuring devicesfind utility. For example, in addition to construction uses, the instantmeasuring device is suitable for use in police work, sporting events,household use, and surveying. It is further useful in schools teachingteching measurements, conversions from the English system to the metricsystem, hobbies, hand-free measuring, do-it-yourselfers, and withcutting machinery such as that found in shops, etc. It is also highlyuseful for performing error-free measurements in manufacturingapplications, sewing applications, and as a template to performmeasurements of fixed length without the necessity of manual effort. Inshort, the measuring device of the instant invention may perform anymeasurement operation presently performed with conventional apparatus,and with a reduced possibility of error, higher accuracy, and with agreater ease of use than that encountered with conventional measuringapparatus.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of themeasuring device contemplated by the instant invention. This devicecomprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape generally indicated at 1 ofan inexpensive material. Any inexpensive pressure-sensitive adhesivetape may be employed in the instant invention, which possesses astretchability which is sufficiently low to prevent unacceptablevariations in measurement over the distance to be measured and which ispreferably less than about 1/4 inch in 50 feet. Applicant has found thatthe high stretchability of prior art measuring tape produces asystematic measurement error which can reach a significant magnitudewhen long lengths of the tape are employed. Accordingly, by providing apressure-sensitive adhesive tape which has minimum stretchability,measurement error attributable to the stretching of the tape can beeliminated and the accuracy of the measurement operation greatlyimproved. This result is particularly advantageous in those applicationswhich require very precise measurement accuracy, and eliminates thenecessity to institute ameliorative action or corrective action tocompensate for this error. Moreover, where the measuring tape functionsas a template to indicate the placing of structural members withoutmanual measurement, it is essential that a highly accurate spacing beobtained without the necessity of manually checking the accuracy of thespacing.

As has been aforementioned, any tape material which has a stretchabilityof less than 1/4 inch in 50 feet may be employed as thepressure-sensitive tape material in the measuring device of the instantinvention. By way of example, the following materials have astretchability below this value and are suitable for use in the presentinvention: polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (e.g., mylar),polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulose acetate,polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene copolymers, polyvinylchloride,nylon, reinforced plastics, e.g., nylon filament reinforced plastics,metal foil, low-stretch papers, and other well known equivalents.

In the preferred embodiment, the tape 1 includes a pressure sensitiveadhesive face 4 and a working face 2 to facilitate application. Theadhesive forming the face of tape 1 may be any pressure-sensitiveadhesive material well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably,however, the adhesive is also water-repellant to enable the tape 1 toremain firmly adhered to a suitable base object under wet conditions.

The tape 1 may also be secured onto a suitable substrate by anysupplementary means well known to the art. For example, it may bestapled, nailed, or clamped onto a substrate. Any of these methods areparticularly suitable where an adhesive tape won't stick to the desiredsubstrate in one or more places along its length.

The working face 2 has displayed thereon at least one numerical scale,and a plurality of sets of spaced indicia which function as templates toindicate the spacing of any member which is desired to be regularlyarranged. In construction application, these members suitably includefloor joists, siding, rafters, trusses, plywood sheets, shingles, beams,studding, metal reinforcing rods, metal I-beams, and masonry or brick.The present invention is also highly advantageous for marking mason'scorner poles. However, a set of spaced indicia may be displayed on theface 2 corresponding to the spacing of any desired member, and thepresent invention is not limited in use to construction applications.Exemplary of other members which are often desired to be set out in anordered fashion, and would therefore benefit from the advantages of theinstant invention, include grade stakes for surveying, surveying poles,fence posts, and any of the wide variety of markers which are ordered ina regular fashion.

As used herein, the term numerical scale refers to any of the variousscales in which units of length are set off numerically, such as metricscales, inch and foot scales, etc. Essential to the instant invention isthe requirement that at least one numerical scale be displayed on theworking face 2. Suitably, this scale may be an inches and feet scale.However, the present invention also contemplates that a metric scale maybe employed as the numerical scale. In the preferred embodiment, though,the measuring device of the instant invention includes both a metricscale and an inches and feet scale to allow a single measuring device toperform both types of measurements, and/or assist in conversions fromthe English scale to the metric scale and vice versa. Preferably, thenumerical scales are also recurring scales, repeating themselves atconvenient intervals such as 100 feet, etc. For masonry work, the tape 1preferably includes a recurring mason's scale, repeating itself at fourfoot intervals.

The numerical scales and the spaced indicia may be displayed on theworking face 2 by any method well known to those skilled in the art. Forexample, these scales may be displayed by printing, stamping, embossing,or perforating. Notching may also be employed where convenient. Whatevermethod is chosen, though, it is desirable to manufacture the measuringtape with the numerical scales and spaced indicia easilydistinguishable. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the numericalscales are imprinted on the pressure-sensitive adhesive tapenumerically. Any other suitable indicia may then be employed to mark thespacings of the desired numbers. Preferably, one set of indiciacomprises a set of spaced notches. Use of notches as the indiciacorresponding to the desired spacing of a particular structural memberserves the additional purpose of facilitating the tearing of the tapewith neat edges. As will become more apparent hereinafter, the numericalscale and the spaced indicia cooperate to enable the facile constructionof building frames without the necessity of manual measurement andwithout resort to other measurement devices.

Any number of sets of spaced indicia may be displayed on the workingface 2. However, when indicia corresponding to the spacing for more thanone member are present, it is essential that the indicia correspondingto each member be easily distinguishable from the indicia for othermembers. Accordingly, applicant has found that this may be suitablyachieved by coding the various sets of indicia.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the measuring device according tothe instant invention, adapted for use in construction applications. Onthe working face 2 there is displayed a numerical inches and feet scale6 and four sets of indicia corresponding to the desired spacing of fourdifferent members. One set of indicia, indicated by notches 10 providesa template for indicating the standard spacing of steel members inconstruction applications. A second set of indicia, coded byperforations 12 sets forth the standard 16-inch spacing for studding. Athird set of indicia, comprising colored squares 8, forms a template forthe spacing of roof rafters. The fourth set of indicia, indicated bycolored triangles 13, sets forth the standard 24-inch spacing fortrusses. Any method, however, may be employed to code the indicia. Forexample, all of the various sets of indicia may be color coded, or mayemploy other distinctive indicia. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two othermeans for coding the sets of indicia. In FIG. 2, shown with a metricscale 7, the desired spacings of roof beams, studdings, and trusses arerespectively indicated by imprinting the member's name on the workingface 2. FIG. 3 illustrates another method of coding, in whichdistinctive embossments 16 distinguish the various sets of indicia.

Preferably, the tape 1 is manufactured in the form of a roll of aconvenient size, and is adapted to be adhesively secured to a suitablebase member which is to be measured. By employing a pressure-sensitiveadhesive tape, ease of use of the instant device is greatly improvedover that obtained with prior art measuring devices. With the use of theinstant measuring device, a single man can perform the measuringoperation, without the need for assistant or extraneous fastenings tosecure the tape to a base member. Moreover, applicant has found thatmeasurement accuracy can be even more improved over that obtained withprior art devices by producing the tape in a roll having the adhesivelayer outermost and the imprinted layer on the inner face of the roll,as illustrated in FIG. 1. Manufacture of the roll of tape in this form,allows the device to be directly rolled onto a suitable base memberwithout the necessity of first having to unroll a length of the devicefor application. By applying the tape directly onto the base memberwithout first unrolling, stretching of the tape is further reduced andconcomitantly the measurement accuracy of the device is improved. It isalso convenient when the instant measuring device is in the form of aroll to manufacture the tape with every ten feet or meters mark on thenumerical scale being left blank to allow the user to insert the propernumber. This provision eliminates the necessity of having a number ofsuch measuring devices in various lengths for different sized measuringjobs.

As has been aforementioned, the instant invention is particularlyadvantageous for use in the construction of static structures andbuilding frames. In application, the instant measuring device is adheredupon the top surface of a suitable base member along the portion uponwhich structural members are to stand. The spaced sets of coded indiciathen indicate directly to the workmen the proper location or spacing forthe structural members which are to be erected upon the base member.Usually in building construction, studding is spaced on 16-inch centers,trusses are spaced on 24-inch centers, and shingles are spaced at 5-inchintervals. The indicia on the measuring device 1 would ordinarilycorrespond with this spacing; however, the indicia may be such as willcorrespond with any desirable spacing. With the use of the instantmeasuring device, the spacing of studding members may be directlyobtained without manual measurement and with reduced opportunity forerror by positioning the studding above the indicia corresponding tothis member. Moreover, use of the instant invention enables the spacingof studdings to be checked at a glance without the necessity forre-measurement, and eliminates errors resulting from confusion as to theproper mark, etc.

Use of the intant measuring device also enables structural openings tobe centered within a building frame and the structural members definingthe opening to be spaced without the necessity for manual measurementand without the assistance of additional geometric devices. To centerthe opening, one corner of the structure is established as a referencepoint. The proper distance from this point to the desired center of theopening is then read off along the numerical scale to determine thecenter line of the opening. The spacing of the opening frame members maythen be readily obtained by counting off 1/2 the desired width of theopening in each direction from the center line of the opening. In usualpractice, in the construction of building frames, the structuralopenings are first centered and the members defining the openingserected using the method outlined above. The sets of coded spacedindicia are then utilized to indicate the spacing for the otherstructural members necessary to complete the structure.

Use of the measuring device of the instant invention also provides aparticularly advantageous method whereby the spacing of joists inbuilding frames may be easily and accurately performed by a singleworkman without the necessity of manual measurement. As shown in FIG. 4,to properly space the joists 18, the measuring tape of the instantinvention I is simply applied along two parallel sides of the buildingupon suitable stringers 20 beginning with the same marking on each side.

Starting at one end of the building, the workman need then only alignthe ends of the joists with the corresponding marks on each of thelengths of the measuring tape to obtain the proper spacing andpositioning for each member, accruing thereby a significant savings intime and manpower over conventional methods of erecting joists, andeliminating the opportunity for measurement errors.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the instant invention is also highlyadvantageous in masonry work, and provides a facile method for erectingmasonry structures with greatly reduced manual effort. Heretofore, inconventional methods for erecting masonry, in order for the masonry rowsto correspond with the height of desired openings, the spacing for eachcourse or row of masonry 22 required that a separate measurement be madefor each new course and the guide line 24 then be leveled between twomason's poles. This method was particularly cumbersome where offsetopenings such as doors or windows prevented stringing a single guideline across the structure. Where an offset opening was present, it wasthe practice to string a guide line on each side of the offset openingand hope that the different guide lines were level, producing manymeasurement errors.

With the use of the instant measuring device, however, an entire masonrystructure can be erected without the requirement for manual measurementsand with reduced measurement error. A length of the instant measuringtape 1, bearing a recurring mason's scale thereon, is applied along eachmason's pole 26 and along each desired opening, beginning from a singlelevel line and also from the same marking on each length of tape. Thecorrect and accurate spacing for each course of masonry may then beobtained by stretching the guide line 24 between similar marks on themason's poles 26 and on the desired openings, thereby automaticallyproviding the correct spacing and leveling for each row, as the guideline is progressively raised, with a great savings of time and manpowerand increase in accuracy. Moreover, the mason will be able to readilycalculate and prearrange the proper spacing of courses in order toproperly accommodate openings in a wall, such as windows and doors whichhave uneven vertical placement.

By utilizing the instant measuring device and its accompanying method inthe construction of building frames, the construction and measurementprocess may be greatly simplified. The entire measuring operation may bedone by one man, utilizing a single disposable tape measure which isfixed in place and remains throughout and after the constructionprocedure. This is in contradistinction to the use of the templatedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,087 which requires that a plurality oftemplates be employed, and which also accrues appreciable measurementerror due to the stretching of the template material. By employing theinstant measuring device, only a single measuring device is required tocompletely manufacture a frame structure. The provision of bothnumerical scales and spaced indicia on a single measuring device allowsthe facile determination of the location and spacing for structuralopenings and other structural members without the necessity of aplurality of measurement steps or devices. Accordingly, the use of theinstant invention in construction applications greatly simplifies theconstruction process, provides a rapid means for verifying allmeasurements and eliminates all of the aforementioned deficienciesencountered with prior art measuring devices.

While the invention has been described in terms of various preferredembodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate that variousmodifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that thescope of the present invention be limited solely by the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A measuring device for use in the construction ofstatic structures to indicate the proper positioning of structuralmembers without the necessity for manual measurement, comprising a tapemember manufactured of a disposable material which has a lowstretchability in order to reduce measurement error and inaccuracy, andhaving on one side thereof a pressure sensitive adhesive material topermit easy application, said tape member being thereby adapted to bepermanently secured to a substrate, and said tape member havingdisplayed thereon a plurality of scales, at least one of said scalescomprising a numerical scale of a repeating series of numerical figureshaving the last numerical figure in each series omitted for subsequentaddition of the appropriate figure by a user in order to enable a singleroll of said measuring device to perform a plurality of different sizedmeasurement operations, and the remainder of said scales comprising aplurality of templates for automatically positioning structural memberswithout the necessity for manual measurement, each of said templatesbeing individually coded so as to be easily distinguishable andcomprising a coded spaced series of indicia having a spacingcorresponding to the desired spacing of a particular structural member,at least one of said templates comprising a series of combinedindicia-tearing means for simultaneously coding each particularstructural member to be positioned and for facilitating tearing of saidtape at a lateral right angle, the indicia of each template beingpositioned on said tape member offset from the desired position of eachstructural member, but juxtaposed thereto, such that upon positioning ofeach structural member, at least a portion of each of said indiciaremains visible, in order to allow the proper positioning of each memberto be visually checked after it is in place without the necessity forremeasurement.
 2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said templatesare coded in the form of triangles.
 3. The device recited in claim 2,wherein said templates are color coded to distinguish the properpositioning of each of the structural members to be positioned.
 4. Thedevice recited in claim 1, wherein said combined indicia-tearing meanscomprise notches or distinctive cut-out sections of said tape member. 5.The device recited in claim 4, wherein said distinctive cut-out sectionsof said tape comprise cut-out triangles.
 6. The device recited in claim1, wherein said adhesive tape has a stretchability of less than about1/4 inch in 50 feet.